Chapter 1491 (1/2)

When he left Kharon, Randidly had a few more visits to make before he could actually leave Expira in good conscious. It seemed that every time he turned around, he somehow had developed a whole new slew of responsibilities. The first this time was a visit to Ghost. Once his mobility was revealed and most of the world knew about the AI’s transforming, gundam-esque body, he was forced to relocate to the Wildlands South of Zone 1.

From what Randidly understood, all of the Zones pressured Ghost to come work for them, manufacturing drones. To avoid being locked down once more, Ghost had refused them all, preferring to experiment on his own. But because of that, he had been forced to keep his operations relatively low key.

Ghost was quite delighted with his visit.; it seemed he had saved up a lot of research to share since they last met. After briefly allowing the excited Ghost to take him through his newest drones and then complain about having to hide the continued production of his metal army, Randidly brought him back to intelligence. The two discussed the current state of Expira, and Randidly was rather relieved to find Ghost’s understanding basically matched Tatiana’s. Seems like she has enough sources to survive in this world.

Then, due to a spur of the moment thought, Randidly suggested that Ghost move his operation to the island formerly used by the Nemesai. It was slightly stained with Randidly’s images now, but it was also very secluded and included a spacious underground. It would be hard for the Zones to track the AI there.

Ghost agreed and packed up his operation within only fifteen minutes. It was an impressive feat. Three two-hundred meter assembly lines were folded and compacted into bus-sized vehicles. A shimmering sea of scuttling spider robots that assisted Ghost arranged themselves in tight formations and waited for Randidly to open up a portal. While the sea of metal trooped off to its new home, Randidly made sure Ghost new to contact Neveah if he had any problems.

In addition, Ghost agreed to help Kharon three times, should they need it, in exchange for one favor from Randidly or Neveah. Then they shook hands, Randidly using his flesh and blood right arm to grasp the porcelain and steel appendage that Ghost offered him.

“There’s one other thing,” Randidly said after they both took a step back. Most of Ghost’s stuff had already gone through the portal. “I want to stress… try your best to survive the Calamities. That is the time frame that I’m thinking. Kharon is strong now… but…”

Ghost seemed to whirr as his AI considered that. “...I see. True, the help I could give to them now is relatively limited… Heh. I understand what you want my role to be. You worry more than I thought you would, Mr. Ghosthound.”

“I’ve been given a crash course in worries these past few weeks, from an expert,” Randidly answered dryly. It hadn’t been enjoyable, but it was quite true. “Besides… this is me worrying now so I will be free from these feelings tomorrow.”

“Good luck,” Ghost told him, before heading through the portal and examining his new space.

Then Randidly went and visited both of his original two Soulseeds. Both were overjoyed to see him, but Randidly could sense that there was some distance in their relationships now that probably would never be bridged again; their pure adoration of him was gone. Compared to the duo of Acri and Sulfur that had been by his side the entire time, there were clear signs that the early separation from Randidly had adjusted how Thorn and Arbor would grow.

But although that made Randidly sad… it was probably for the best. Their independence meant they weren’t going to be limited by him.

Their general cheer at his arrival was basically the same, but what happened after was quite different between the two of them. Arbor immediately unloaded all of the details of the Cult of Arbor, starting with Kiersty’s most recent struggles to control her budding feelings for one of the guards that worked for King Phirun. So Randidly sat rather still, while the smoldering Arbor clambered all over him, covering him with soot and smoking leaves and inundating him with gossip.

Randidly sat and listened. The veins of Yggdrasil ran through his body as he was patient and kind with this being which he had created.

At the end, they embraced and Randidly said a few quiet words to Arbor about the importance of balancing the need to listen to its followers and the need to act as his own treant. Randidly went on to say that Arbor should try his best to life purposefully. There was no right way to live life, so each day should at least be an affirmative choice. That way, Arbor would be taking responsibility for the shape of his living.

Then they embraced again and Randidly had moved on to his next task. Thorn’s interaction was even briefer.

Thorn also embraced Randidly, impressing him with the plant’s ability to deal damage to his body that was improved by his physicalized images. The sharpness of his nominal thorns was no joke. Then Thorn passionately explained its current idea to grow stronger through emotion and images: dig to the center of the planet and take up permanent residence there, where his thorns would be able to reach anywhere in the world. From that position, he would be able to protect everyone. No one would need to die.

Randidly’s eyes softened as he listened to Thorn explain.

Of course, Thorn was currently having difficulties getting his vulnerable core through the molten stone of the mantle. And the deeper it dug, the hotter it got. But it emphasized that Randidly’s power to use Absolute Grasp of Yggdrasil had inspired it. It wanted to possess that same absolute capability.

For now, it’s probably for the best that Thorn doesn’t get that capability. Having him able to reach across the whole world...

“Thorn…” Randidly paused, unsure of what he wanted to say. Because when he looked at Thorn, he saw quite a few worrying similarities to himself. But regarding those flaws… what right did Randidly have to criticize? So he could only slowly exhale. His images crowded around, each with their own idea on what to say to Thorn.

In the end, Randidly stuck with the feeling that Yggdrasil released. He reached out and patted Thorn’s pink and black core. “Don’t forget to have fun, buddy. Life’s something worth enjoying sometimes. And if we are talking about living… you cannot ever completely eliminate risk.”

The last visit that Randidly made was to Neveah. They had been in near-constant contact over the past few weeks as the plans for the Keystones were finalized, but they hadn’t actually seen each other for quite some time. Through their connection, Randidly had known that it was because Neveah wanted to be alone right now. What had happened with Roy left a deep scar on her that Randidly couldn’t quite understand.

But now Randidly was leaving and Neveah refused to go with him. So he was no longer willing to let her have her space. He wasn’t going to go without saying goodbye.